The eagerly awaited Design London Shoreditch was held last week (September 16 to 18). The new design extravaganza has been organised by the same team behind the Clerkenwell Design Week and we were there.
The organisers of CDW expressed enthusiasm about the launch of the event, highlighting its role as a significant addition to the London Design Festival. They emphasised that the event reflected Shoreditch’s status as a vibrant creative hub and underscored London’s position as a global leader in design.
For the event, three distinct venues of Shoreditch were transformed by bold installations, colourful interiors, and razor-sharp design innovation. The main venues and their exhibitors were Design at Work at Protein Studios, Design Culture at Kachette, and House of ICON at Shoreditch Town Hall.
The successful event was supported by ICON and OnOffice magazines and is expected to become a significant addition to London’s design calendar, so pencil it into your diary. For those loving art, architecture, furniture, lighting, or surfaces, it was an occasion to remember.
Our team was on site to indulge in the memorable moments and to rub shoulders with standout designers.
World-Class Exhibitions & Atmosphere
Shoreditch remains one of London’s most vibrant creative districts. Here you will find a rich heritage of architecture, nestled alongside showrooms, studios, cafés, and bars.
In its debut year, the festival had over 40 participants across showroom exhibitions and unique events. Each venue offered an immersive experience, with decorative surprises, special guests, and more. These were some of the exhibitions we visited:
1 House of ICON – Shoreditch Town Hall Assembly
Housed within the historic Shoreditch Town Hall, House of ICON offered a comprehensive exploration of interior design in all its forms. From the clean lines and functionality of Scandinavian design to the vibrant colours of maximalism, the exhibition presented a diverse selection of products tailored for both residential and hospitality projects.
The experience was further enriched with immersive installations, brand activations, pop-up shops, and topical talks.
2 Design at Work by OnOffice – Protein Studios
At Design at Work, top global brands and rising talent showcased ideas and products which enhance well-being, productivity, and comfort in workspaces. Here, visitors had the opportunity to get a snapshot of the future of workplace design.
3 Design Culture – Kachette Arches
At Kachette, Design Culture explored the influence of culture on design. Curated works from independent designers, artists, and graduates from Kingston University highlighted the power of design to shape space.
The exhibition also showcased everything, from statement pieces to finely crafted products, each rooted in cultural identity.
These distinct venues were dressed-up and curated to give guests a once-in-a-lifetime experience. We managed to get some great pics and enjoy the designs up close and personal.
If these exhibition descriptions didn’t win you over, here are a few more reasons we are glad we attended:
Immersive Installations and Interactive Experiences
Visitors were able to engage with installations like Ben Cullen Williams’ AI-driven ‘Self Portrait,’ created in collaboration with Google DeepMind and Google Arts & Culture Lab. These were among other interactive and engaging experiences.
Thought-Provoking Talks and Workshops
The event featured a curated talks programme by Roddy Clarke, bringing together bold thinkers and creatives to explore the evolving world of design.
Workshops, including Moleskine’s sessions on handwriting and drawing, encouraged self-expression and creativity among attendees.
Diverse Participating Brands
Over 40 brands participated. These included, among others, LaErre, 2LG Studio, ISOLA, and Ben Cullen Williams.
They showcased a range of products, from furniture to lighting and textiles, reflecting the event’s commitment to diversity and innovation in design.
Integration with Shoreditch Design Triangle
As part of the Shoreditch Design Triangle, Design London Shoreditch contributed to one of the largest and most visited districts of the London Design Festival, reinforcing Shoreditch’s position as a vibrant creative hub.
The Finishing Touch
In this way, heritage and culture collided at Design London Shoreditch 2025.
Recognising the dynamic creative energy in East London, particularly in Shoreditch, the team behind the action aimed to create a platform which highlights innovation and fostered collaboration among designers, architects, and enthusiasts.
They achieved just this. The exhibition halls were bustling with excitement and there was no-one who wasn’t camera-happy and thrilled to be there. It was also a learning experience, and provided many spontaneous networking opportunities. We collected some business cards from esteemed designers, and had the chance to share ideas and discuss the dynamic world of design.
This new festival initiative seeks to showcase cutting-edge interiors, architecture, and design culture in a vibrant, urban setting, thereby contributing to the broader London Design Festival.
If you didn’t make it, we suggest you pencil it in next year’s diary. The vibrancy of the event was electric and we’re excited to attend again next year.
